§ 30. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the fact that as from 1928 preservatives in cream will be prohibited, what steps he is taking to arrange with the railway companies for the installation of cold-storage plants in the wagons which transport the cream from the country to the towns?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)I do not think that any steps of the nature indicated will be necessary, seeing that the bulk of the cream that will be consigned for any distance by rail is chilled before despatch, but I will confer with my right hon. Friends the Ministers of Health and Transport on the subject.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that an important British interest is threatened with extinction unless proper facilities are provided on the railways?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware also that there is a great demand for similar wagons for the conveyance of fresh fish?
§ Mr. SPEAKERFish do not come out of cream.
Captain CROOKSHANKAre we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman does not anticipate any warm weather next year or in future?
§ Mr. GUINNESSThe point is that this cream is generally chilled before despatch and some of it is pasteurised. We advised that there is no demand for the special railway accommodation suggested, which would have to be paid for, and it is probably not in the interest of the farmers to face the extra expenditure of this special accommodation.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWhy should the farmers pay for it? Why should not the railway companies provide it?
§ Mr. GUINNESSClearly the railway companies could not make an exception in this case. They would have to provide it for this and all other classes of traffic, and base their rates on the cost of handling.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs it not the duty of the Minister to defend the interests of agriculturists?
§ Mr. GUINNESSWe have no power to order railway companies to provide facilities at a loss.
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in America the railway companies always supply these machines?
§ Mr. GUINNESSDistances in America are much greater, the climate is very different, and no doubt the farmers are prepared to pay for that special accommodation.
§ Mr. HARRISWhy should not the Government help sugar instead of cream?